Heavy snow and ice could cause havoc across the western United States over the weekend as winter weather advisories and warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service.
It has already been a cold week on the West Coast with two storm systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean. They have brought snow, freezing rain and bitter temperatures to the region with forecasters expecting these conditions to continue over the next two days.
Seven states all have various winter weather-related warnings and advisories over the weekend: Alaska, California, Montana, Maine, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. Some places are expected to see somewhere between 1 and 3 inches of snow while others are expected to see larger amounts ranging from 8 to 13 inches.
Here are where these warnings are this weekend.
Alaska
The National Weather Service office in Juneau issued a winter storm warning for the Skagway and White Pass areas of the state. Heavy snow with accumulations of up to 9 inches is expected to fall throughout the day on Friday. Wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour are forecast.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water with you in case of an emergency,” the weather service said in its warning.
California
Parts of northern California are under winter weather advisories, with between 4 and 10 inches of snow expected. The areas under these warnings are Quincy, Chester and Blue Canyon, California.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento said that slick travel conditions and snow-covered roads, among other impacts, could be expected in the region.
Our Winter Weather Advisory continues until 10 PM this evening for additional snow accumulations of 2-8″ above 5500 feet over portions of the Sierra. There will be a lull in additional snowfall later this morning but forecasted to pick up again this afternoon. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/ENJcpWkVSy
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 15, 2024
Thirteen inches of snow are also expected in the Yosemite Valley region in central California on Friday. The warning from the National Weather Service office in Hanford, California also said travel could be very difficult in the area.
The NWS office in San Diego also said up to 3 inches of snow are expected in the Riverside County region from Friday evening to Saturday morning.
Montana
Several inches of snow are forecast in the southeastern parts of the state. Up to 8 inches of snow are expected along the Highway 12 area from Garrison to Elliston. The advisory also extends to the Georgetown Lake, MacDonald Pass and Homestake Pass areas of the state.
The advisory from the National Weather Service Office in Great Falls, Montana extends until Saturday morning.
Maine
Moving to the East Coast, freezing rain is forecast across some parts of the state. The NWS office in Gray, Maine said that this type of rain could be seen near the U.S. border with Canada on Saturday morning.
Nevada
Back west, Reno is subject to a winter weather advisory that is expected to last until Friday afternoon. Forecasters expect rain and snow in the region.
The Greater Lake Tahoe Area is also expected to see up to 3 inches of snow, with larger accumulations in places with higher elevations.
Utah
Six to 12 inches are forecast in the Wasatch Mountains between Friday and Saturday. Forecasters are also expecting winter driving conditions to be present in the regions of Sardine Canyon, Parleys Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon.
“Slow down and use caution while traveling,” the National Weather Service Office in Salt Lake City said.
The Uinta Mountains, also in Utah are expecting to see between 4 and 8 inches between Friday and Saturday.
Wyoming
Wyoming is expecting to see 4 to 6 inches in the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains between Friday and Saturday. An advisory from the National Weather Service office in Riverton, Wyoming said driving conditions could deteriorate.
“Mountain passes will become slick with wintry driving conditions,” the service said. “Plan to allow extra time if traveling over mountain passes.”
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter weather warnings pop up across the West, Northeast this weekend